A new New Jersey law aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in public schools has taken effect following its signing by Acting Governor Tahesha Way. The legislation, Bill S-3776, was sponsored by State Senators Shirley K. Turner (D-15) and Angela V. McKnight (D-31) and is designed to closely examine why students miss school and how attendance can be improved across the state.
- New Jersey has enacted Bill S-3776 to form an 18-member volunteer task force focused on chronic absenteeism in public schools.
- Statewide chronic absenteeism peaked at 18.1 percent in the 2021–2022 school year and continues to approach 40 percent in districts including Trenton, Camden, and Paterson.
- The task force is required to deliver a report with findings and legislative recommendations within one year of being organized.
Formation and Membership of the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force
The legislation establishes an 18-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force composed of education professionals, school leaders, and parent advocates. Appointments will be made by the Governor, legislative leadership, and the New Jersey Commissioner of Education. Among the public members selected by the Governor will be representatives recommended by Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey and the Princeton Area Community Foundation.
Task force members will serve in a volunteer capacity without compensation. The law allows the task force to request support and assistance from the New Jersey Department of Education during the course of its work.
Purpose of the Task Force and Areas of Study
The task force is charged with examining patterns of chronic absenteeism across New Jersey, with a particular focus on the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on student engagement. One of its responsibilities is to compare current absenteeism data with attendance figures from before the pandemic in order to identify changes and trends.
Under the law, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year. The task force will conduct a root cause analysis to assess factors contributing to absences, including barriers to attendance, student disengagement or aversion to school, and the role of physical and mental health challenges. The review will also cover school climate, discipline policies, family circumstances, financial difficulties, and how exposure to COVID-19 has influenced attendance behavior.
Review of Best Practices and Family Engagement Strategies
Beyond identifying causes, the task force is required to examine national best practices that have been effective in improving attendance elsewhere and evaluate how those approaches could be applied across New Jersey. The law also directs the task force to develop strategies aimed at strengthening family engagement as a way to support consistent school attendance.
Legislative Statements on Attendance and Student Support
Senator Shirley K. Turner has identified chronic absenteeism as a major challenge for schools, particularly in urban areas where students often face challenges beyond academic instruction. She said that inconsistent attendance results in missed learning opportunities and contributes to students falling further behind, and that the legislation is focused on understanding underlying causes and implementing practical solutions to support student participation and engagement.
Senator Angela V. McKnight states that attendance is an indicator of whether students feel connected to their schools and supported in their learning environments. She described the task force as a mechanism for translating research into actionable policies that address attendance challenges and produce measurable outcomes.
Attendance Data Driving the Legislation
Chronic absenteeism has risen across the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In New Jersey, the statewide rate reached its highest point at 18.1 percent during the 2021–2022 school year. Although the rate declined to 14.9 percent in the 2023–2024 school year, absenteeism remains significantly elevated in several urban districts. In Trenton, Camden, and Paterson, rates continue to hover near or around 40 percent.
Reporting Requirements and Timeline
The law requires the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to submit a final report to the Governor and the New Jersey Legislature within one year of its organization. The report must present the task force’s findings along with legislative recommendations informed by its research and analysis.
